Moresoft to Partner iQuate

Dublin, 10 October 2005. MoreSoft, the IT solutions company, is delighted to announce its appointment as a partner to iQuate. MoreSoft will integrate iQuate’s range of software solutions and IT Compliance Health Checks into their business offering, ensuring that MoreSoft’s clients follow best practices through IT Governance and IT Compliance.

Darren Donnelly, Managing Director of MoreSoft, said, “MoreSoft will now be able to offer our customers complete turnkey compliance strategies by implementing iQuate’s ‘Health Check’. iQuate will assist by focusing on the key goals which are relevant to our customers. We are very excited with this new partnership.”

“The primary aim of the Health Check is to answer the question: Is the business adhering to all of the legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to IT processes? If not, gaps will be highlighted and associated risks identified”, he continued.

Jason Keogh, founder of iQuate, said "In our experience whilst auditing company IT networks, we always find that companies have over licensed some applications, while under licensing others. Putting in place proper procedures supported by automated solutions can ensure that risks of prosecution by under licensing are removed and unnecessary costs related to over licensing are not incurred. As legislation relating to copyright and corporate governance becomes more onerous, it is good news that companies like iQuate can supply the expertise and tools needed to assist companies with compliance. It is an added bonus that when IT Governance procedures are put into place correctly, they increase productivity, decrease risks and reduce business cost. Organizations have to remember that prevention is not only better than the risk, it also leads to cost savings."

The key areas covered in the iQuate Health Check include the following steps:

1 Compliance Check
Audits for the existence of written procedures and implemented practices that ensure compliance with all legislation, industry regulations and contractual obligations which may be relevant to a company. Areas covered include Appropriate Usage Policies (AUP's) for Hardware, Software, Internet Access and Email, License Compliance, Copyright Compliance (media, licensing and IPR) and other industry specific requirements.

2 Business Alignment
Alignment involves meeting with and interviewing company directors and managers to get an understanding of the key corporate objectives. Once these objectives are ranked in terms of importance, the current and planned IT projects are then analysed, mapping the corporate objectives to the IT projects, ensuring that the IT department is aligned to the business and company objectives.

3 Process Check
"General controls check" which involves identifying and evaluating existing controls and procedures relating to the day-to-day operation of the IT department. Once procedures have been identified, they are evaluated for “completeness” against the COBIT model and for compliance, from the end point out to the audit trail. IT processes will be holistic, efficient and well implemented.

4 User Satisfaction
Analysis of IT systems from an end-user perspective. Strengths and weaknesses in the existing support structure are identified to ensure that the systems that are in place are the best fit for the employees for them to align themselves to the key business objectives. An analysis is undertaken as to whether end-users are satisfied with the system and using it efficiently and effectively.

5 Change Management
Aims to ensure that changes to IT systems (servers, workstations, network infrastructure etc.) will be properly scheduled, efficient and orderly, with little to no risk of unexpected results from a change going into place. Change management has to be looked at with a “real-world” perspective – iQuate’s tools and services blend best practice with leading change monitoring solutions to ensure change management is handled in the most efficient way possible providing procedures which are simple to implement and audit trails that are easy to follow. The procedures that iQuate assist in implementing ensure that changes are Identified, Prioritized, Categorized, and Authorized, that proper risk assessments take place, and audit trails exist to ensure that the customers IT department not only manages changes, but can prove it.

6 Software Management
Ongoing software management is essential to ensure that AUP’s are adhered to and that customers ensure they are following best practices. As part of the package, iQNetscan and iQFilescan are utilised to ensure that the customers level of compliance is measured based on the findings from their corporate network.

About MoreSoft
MoreSoft has been providing Irish corporations and medium size businesses with a friendly and professional service since it was formed in 1991. They currently provide network and desktop support to over 2,500 clients throughout Ireland. From consultancy, deployment and integration through to training and managed services, MoreSoft makes IT service provision easier for it’s clients and so helps them consolidate and grow their business.

About iQuate
iQuate specialize in IT asset management and corporate governance applications and services. They develop software tools for use in the areas of hardware and software inventory, software deployment, helpdesk and network monitoring. Their products provide IT managers with solutions that address and solve issues associated with corporate IT lifecycle.